LANGUAGE AND THEOLOGY OF ABŪ BAKR IBN AL-ʿARABĪ (543/1148) BY ILYASS AMHARAR: BOOK REVIEW

Abstract

The book Language and Theology of Abū Bakr Ibn al-ʿArabī (543/1148) (Langage et théologie chez Abū Bakr Ibn al-ʿArabī) by Ilyass Amharar is a comprehensive research work on the life and contributions of one of the key figures in Islamic philosophy and mysticism, Abū Bakr Ibn al-ʿArabī (543/1148). Written with a meticulous approach, this book thoroughly examines the historical context of Ibn al-ʿArabī’s life, his intellectual influences, and the cultural landscape of al-Andalus during that time, based on biographical sources. This review will explore the structure, themes, and significance of the book’s content, as well as highlight the author’s detailed research and engaging narrative style. Amharar provides valuable insights into the sources that underpin Ibn al-ʿArabī’s biography. By referencing the major works authored by Ibn al-ʿArabī himself, such as Riḥla, Qānūn, and Sirāj al-Murīdīn, he constructs a narrative rich with anecdotes illustrating the interactions, travels, and impact of Ibn al-ʿArabī on his contemporaries. This narrative not only allows us to feel the life of his time but also elucidates the character, beliefs, and intellectual endeavors he undertook. The author adds an additional dimension to this biographical study by critically analyzing primary sources. While he acknowledges the potential bias from direct students, the author emphasizes the importance of later writings that provide different perspectives on Ibn al-ʿArabī’s life. For example, the writings of Ibn Baskwāl and Ibn ʿAsākir, produced some time after Ibn al-ʿArabī’s death, allow for a more reflective and neutral assessment of Ibn al-ʿArabī’s contributions and the controversies surrounding his interpretations, particularly regarding Hadith.